Setting the pieces in place from way back - the ultimate logistics planner!

Don't you love it when you go along to an event, and it just seems to be filled with lots of little individual occurrences that show how God has been quietly preparing the way for ages, often even before the event came on our radar?

Well Wednesday last week was one of those days for me. I was so encouraged by the series of events and I hope that through sharing it you are similarly encouraged in the knowledge that God is also preparing things for you.

The event in question was a Service of Remembrance at the open-air Woodland Memorial Gardens. I had been invited to lay a wreath as representing the local community, and Tim was accompanying me as my consort (a role that until now he has declined to take up).

So we drive up to the carpark, I pop my chain of office on, and we walk towards the reception area. As we are going I'm very aware that everyone knows who I am, thanks to the chain around my neck, but Tim doesn't really know anyone, and his role in this instance is seen as 'the mayors other half'. 

Imagine my delight when we get towards the reception and find that the Army Padre who will be leading the service is Paul Green, a chaplain serving in the army and a member of Thornbury Baptist, our church! At that point there wasn't much time for chatting together, but it was great to have that immediate connection, one based on Tim and I as church members rather than me as mayor.

After the service we got a chance to chat and catch up with Paul properly, and at that point I found out that ordinarily the chaplain who leads this service is a different Padre, one whom I don't know at all. It was only 2 weeks prior to the service that Paul got drafted in, as the original Padre realised he would be in Iraq visiting his troops. For me, that was a sign that God is taking care of all the details, including ensuring there is someone at the service who Tim can relate to in his own capacity.

There were 3 other little examples of God paving the way -
The first was the presence of Erica, the Chair of South Glos council who I happened to have met at 2 different occasions in the past 2 months, but prior to that had never met. As a result she knew me and vice versa, and so rather than me having no clue about what was happening when, I was able to tag along with Erica and be guided by her.

The second was the timing of this event with another one. The previous Friday I had attended a celebration of the Queens 90th birthday at one of the local primary schools. As a result I had met all the staff, and also the students had seen me in my robes, but also seen me happy to get stuck in and take part in the activities. When Tim and I arrived at the service of remembrance, a staff member and 3 pupils from this particular school were also there, but looking slightly unsure as to what the order of events was. I was so glad that I'd been at their school the previous week, as it made for a quick and relaxed hello, and allowed me to help them sort out where to be when, without my chain of office being a barrier or making me seem unapproachable.

Similarly the other primary school represented was the school that I am a governor at, so again they all know me, and I was able to calm nerves by being a familiar face in an unfamiliar setting.

It was a lovely service, a special day, and a wonderful reminder that God is always at work, quietly, behind the scenes, paving the way. Our role in it all - to be open and alert to His guiding, responding to the opportunities He provides, and willing to walk the way He is paving. 

I'm doing my best on that front - failing miserably at times I admit, but doing my best! 
Thanking God for His forgiving nature and His grace and patience.Setting the pieces in place from way back - the ultimate logistics planner!

Don't you love it when you go along to an event, and it just seems to be filled with lots of little individual occurrences that show how God has been quietly preparing the way for ages, often even before the event came on our radar?

Well Wednesday last week was one of those days for me. I was so encouraged by the series of events and I hope that through sharing it you are similarly encouraged in the knowledge that God is also preparing things for you.

The event in question was a Service of Remembrance at the open-air Woodland Memorial Gardens. I had been invited to lay a wreath as representing the local community, and Tim was accompanying me as my consort (a role that until now he has declined to take up).

So we drive up to the carpark, I pop my chain of office on, and we walk towards the reception area. As we are going I'm very aware that everyone knows who I am, thanks to the chain around my neck, but Tim doesn't really know anyone, and his role in this instance is seen as 'the mayors other half'. 

Imagine my delight when we get towards the reception and find that the Army Padre who will be leading the service is Paul Green, a chaplain serving in the army and a member of Thornbury Baptist, our church! At that point there wasn't much time for chatting together, but it was great to have that immediate connection, one based on Tim and I as church members rather than me as mayor.

After the service we got a chance to chat and catch up with Paul properly, and at that point I found out that ordinarily the chaplain who leads this service is a different Padre, one whom I don't know at all. It was only 2 weeks prior to the service that Paul got drafted in, as the original Padre realised he would be in Iraq visiting his troops. For me, that was a sign that God is taking care of all the details, including ensuring there is someone at the service who Tim can relate to in his own capacity.

There were 3 other little examples of God paving the way -
The first was the presence of Erica, the Chair of South Glos council who I happened to have met at 2 different occasions in the past 2 months, but prior to that had never met. As a result she knew me and vice versa, and so rather than me having no clue about what was happening when, I was able to tag along with Erica and be guided by her.

The second was the timing of this event with another one. The previous Friday I had attended a celebration of the Queens 90th birthday at one of the local primary schools. As a result I had met all the staff, and also the students had seen me in my robes, but also seen me happy to get stuck in and take part in the activities. When Tim and I arrived at the service of remembrance, a staff member and 3 pupils from this particular school were also there, but looking slightly unsure as to what the order of events was. I was so glad that I'd been at their school the previous week, as it made for a quick and relaxed hello, and allowed me to help them sort out where to be when, without my chain of office being a barrier or making me seem unapproachable.

Similarly the other primary school represented was the school that I am a governor at, so again they all know me, and I was able to calm nerves by being a familiar face in an unfamiliar setting.

It was a lovely service, a special day, and a wonderful reminder that God is always at work, quietly, behind the scenes, paving the way. Our role in it all - to be open and alert to His guiding, responding to the opportunities He provides, and willing to walk the way He is paving. 

I'm doing my best on that front - failing miserably at times I admit, but doing my best! 
Thanking God for His forgiving nature and His grace and patience.

6 weeks into post!

Town council works in 6 week cycles, and today is the end of the first of those cycles since I've been Chair of Council and Mayor of Thornbury. So it seems like a good day to have a little reflect on what it's been like so far, and to give thanks and praise to God for some beautiful opportunities to serve Him in this role.

It certainly hasn't been a quiet start to the role! In the past 6 weeks I've met with head teachers of all the schools in Thornbury area - primary, secondary and special needs schools. I've also met with the local police, the town centre partnership committee and the chair of chamber of commerce. I've had the privilege of doing a ribbon cutting ceremony, been to a concert for Christian Aid, been to a belly-dancing and Arabian dancing fundraiser evening for JIGSAW, handed out certificates at some collaborative projects between school and local industries, been to a business forum and linked up charity and business reps who can support each other, spoken at a Rotary dinner, attended a 90th birthday party for the Queen at a primary school, stood in a stream to raise awareness for Christian Aid, been dressed up in a recycled outfit for a Trashion Show, played table tennis with some of the young people at the local youth group and supported an event for Brain Tumour Support.

Exhausted? Yes, it is a bit tiring to think it all through, but what has been the key for me in it all are the reminders at each of the events of how special it is for folks to be able to say that the Mayor turned up. I hadn't really stopped to think about this aspect before. I guess because I always know the mayor as just one of my fellow councillors, the perception of that role from outside had passed me by.

At the youth club the other evening, one of the lads stopped his 'tough' act to ask questions about the process of becoming mayor, whilst another wanted a selfie with the mayor so he could show his mum! Little things in some ways, but for these lads, the fact that the mayor was interested in their youth club clearly meant a lot.

The opportunities to network and link people together has been really wonderful. Being Mayor opens doors, and as a result I've been able to link JIGSAW up with a number of different people and projects and possible pots of money / sponsorship, that was just not happening before. God is opening doors, and using the mayoral role for so much good, and it's an honour to be part of the process.

There is still plenty to come - tomorrow I launch the Mayors Youth Awards as a vehicle to raise awareness of the many wonderful young people we have in the town doing good works. Next week we have a new town clerk starting so there will be work needed there to help her settle into her role. I'd like to initiate some sort of Asset-Based Community Development conversations to help people find positive angles to living in Thorbbury rather than getting dragged into the mire of unwanted housing developments.

And I have lots of appointments in the diary already of upcoming requests for the mayor's presence. Lots more opportunities to say a 'few words', to raise people up, to promote fabulous projects, and to link people together. Lots more opportunities to try and demonstrate God's love in practical ways, and to be ready to chat about how my faith fits in with life when the conversation turns that way (which it has done on a number of occasions already). 

But that's what I signed up for, and I have to say this is one of the best things I ever agreed to do in Thornbury. Do I wish I'd done it earlier? No, because then JIGSAW wouldn't have been ready for all the development and growth that is coming its way now through being the mayors charity. And in previous years I was working full time, so couldn't have fitted in as much mayor-ing as now. And in previous years the girls were at home and I'd have had to be a bit more restrained so as not to make their lives a misery by having their mum as the mayor. 

No, this is the right year. God always gets the timing right, and I can see in so many ways how this is the case for me at this moment.

So, thank you Lord for this wonderful opportunity to serve You in this way; praise You for all the different people, projects and places I am able to go to; and I pray that in all things I will be seen as a mayor who serves - the people, the community, and the one true God.

First week as mayor – reflections, and giving God the glory

Last Sunday, two days before I was ‘inaugurated’ (is that the correct term?) as Mayor of Thornbury, I had the opportunity to share at Thornbury Baptist church and at Woodlands Central church (Bristol) about my forthcoming role, and my prayer requests for the year ahead.

My prayer requests were simple – for wisdom in how to lead council, and therefore the town, through the forthcoming changes that a plethora of large developments are forcing upon us; and that people would see me as a servant mayor, and would see the God I serve through my actions and words.

One week on, and I just want to share a few examples of how those prayers are already being answered in wonderful ways.

Just to set the scene for the Tuesday evening and the first couple of examples:

The mayor-making event took place at the start of the Town Council AGM in council chambers, and was a public event. It was packed to the gills with friends from church and the community, and I was very aware of all the quiet prayers that were being said for me during it both from those present, and also others who were not able to be there in person.

After the AGM was over, I invited everyone, including councilors and council staff, back to the Baptist church where we had laid on coffee and cake. Many of the friends who had witnessed the mayor-making hadn’t stayed for the whole meeting and thus were already at the church when all the councilors arrived.

So, the councilors all arrive at the church, and see this lovely group of people already there and one of the councilors says quietly to me: ‘is this a regular church group we have gate-crashed?’

Me: ‘no’;

He: ‘well why are they here?’

Me: ‘well, they are my friends from church and around, and are just here to celebrate me being made mayor’

He: ‘wow, how lovely it must be to have so many special friends’

Me: ‘it is, church is a very special place’

Wonderful!

Two of the other councilors who came across for the coffee and cake are known for the fact that they NEVER attend any events that are in churches, as they are so anti-church. However, both came to the Baptist church on Tuesday night, and both at some point said to me what a lovely feeling there was in the place.

God making His presence gently but beautifully felt from the start.

During this week I’ve had many reasons to go into the council offices and chat with the staff about things, and build up relationship with them. During one of the conversations, one of them commented how much they like my style of leading – how open, inclusive and relaxed it is, and yet gets things done. I’m not saying that to big me up, but instead to praise God who has been moulding me over the years to reach this point, and sanding down the sharp edges that many of you know used to be there. May the working relationships that are being formed provide openings and opportunities for faith-sharing conversations at various points in time.

Yesterday, I had my first ribbon-cutting event, and it provided another example of God’s hand in everything. The event was the opening of the new clubhouse at the local tennis club, and I was there along with our local MP.

As we were being shown round, it was mentioned that the clubhouse and courts are now fully accessible for those with disabilities, and that the tennis club would like to develop that side of things more, but doesn’t know where to start.

Well thank you God for joining up the dots! The charity that I am supporting this year is JIGSAW, a local organisation that supports children with additional needs, and their families. A group of them were at the event yesterday, as one of the young people was helping me cut the ribbon. In a previous conversation with them they had been saying about how they are looking for some summer holiday opportunities for the Jigsaw children. So when the tennis guys mentioned about their desire to help those with disabilities access tennis – well all I had to do was introduce Tennis Club to JIGSAW, and let the conversation and planning flow. Don’t you love it when God brings the right people together at the right time for the benefit of all?

So, that’s a few bits of my first week. I have also been involved with another charity event, and through that had opportunity to grow awareness of more good works going on in the town, and I have had various conversations in which God and the church family have come up in very positive ways.

Don’t worry, you aren’t going to get a week by week account of my mayoral life, although if any of you want to know my diary to pray for specific events then I’m happy to share that on a one-by-one basis, and I’m also on twitter (@mayorthornbury), and on facebook (Mayor of Thornbury)

But for now this is enough and I’ll end with a couple of photos that I particularly like from this first week. May God be glorified in it all.

An inspirational team

One of the privileges of leading teams of young people is the opportunity to be alongside them as they experience new cultures and countries, have perspectives challenged, review their priorities and generally return home with new outlooks on life.

And on most trips, there will be one or two team members who particularly inspire me as I hear their stories and where they have come from.

But this time has to top the lot with regard to inspirational team members. We aren’t a big team, but each of the young people, and two of the leaders, has grown up in the care system, and it is a massive eye-opener, and humbling experience, as I listen to them chatting and glean bits of their stories.

Last night for example, three or four of them were chatting, and comparing stories on how many different foster homes they have lived in, how many different schools and authorities they have come under the care of, and as a result how hard it is to gain any sense of real belonging and community. One of them felt they were lucky as they’d only been moved 5 times, another could name more than 10 different foster homes and children’s homes that they had lived in at various points.

I can’t even start to imagine what it must be like to have that sort of disruption as the starting point, or reference point for life, and yet listening to the team it is their area of commonality, and their norm.

Some of them are in contact with biological family members, and in some of these cases, it seems that these members, especially the parents, are quite needy and lean heavily on the emotional side of the young people. As a result there has been a lot more contact with home than there would normally be on a team trip, as the ensuing guilt of not contacting home, and not checking that mum etc is OK can be too much to cope with.

What strikes me is how matter of fact they are about it all. It’s just life for them, and whilst it leaves me reeling, and marveling at how they cope, they just get on with life.

Yes, it takes a while for some of them to trust new people – no surprise there; and yes it is clear that some find uncertainty and vagueness quite unnerving – no surprise there either; and yes they are very good at pushing boundaries to suss out new situations and new people – again no surprise. But, that is fairly standard for a lot of young people their ages, and what I love about this team is how quickly we have all started to feel like a family, and the banter, laughter, supportiveness and empathy that is flowing.

It was lovely today to listen to some of the girls chatting in the car about their plans for adulthood – dreams and hopes, possible plans being hatched. Academically many of them struggled, in part because of the disruption of being moved around, in part because of teenage rebellions going on at formative times in their school careers. So plans for going to college etc tend to be a bit behind their non-foster contemporaries, but that isn’t putting them off. The overall theme coming through today was how each of the girls wants to get a qualification, get a job, settle down with a nice guy, and then think about having children. They want their children to have a good childhood, ‘not the rubbish one I had’ – as one of them said.  Really encouraging to hear, and I pray that the girls can each realise that dream in their own way.

One of the projects we visited was a kindergarten for Roma kids, and chatting to one of the team members afterwards he was saying how it made him sad to think that the children go home to really tough situations, where there isn’t necessarily a parent waiting, or much love going around. And as he was saying this, it was evident that this is something that the team member has personally been through in his childhood, and can really relate to; as a result of drawing on that personal experience he was really inspired to go the extra mile to make the children happy today.

One of the others said this: ‘I wish there was something more I could do, today has had a massive influential effect on my life of how I perceive what I think are major problems in my life because in reality my ‘problems’ come nowhere near to how these young children are living and what they are going through’. Powerful and impacting stuff – and if her problems have become minor compared to the little ones we helped in the kindergarten, then what a wake up call to me and how I view my ‘problems’.

So a massive ‘thank you’ to this team – I am learning so much from each and every one of them. It is such a privilege to be part of their lives in this small way, and to help give them an experience that is clearly impacting them, growing their horizons and giving them new perspectives. May the outcomes of this trip continue to show through in many wonderful ways – and based on what we have seen so far, I think they will.

  

We were there before Obama - reflections from cuba

Ok, confession right from the start: this is not a Cred-related blog. Equally it's not going to be a long-winded account of all the places that Tim and I have visited on our wonderful 2-week holiday in Cuba. 

But as I know that some of you who read this blog have been to Cuba, and others of you are planning visits, and still others of you are just interested in life beyond the local communities in which we all find ourselves, I thought I would indulge in a bit of reflection on this fascinating country and its wonderful people.

And don't worry, it won't be deep and philosophical - it's too hot for that. But I hope that by the end of it you will have a bit of a feel for a country which has been through all sorts of history, and is about to embark on a new chapter that I suspect will have more of an impact than they have even started to imagine.

One disclaimer before I get going - Tim and I have only had a 2-week, 4-location tiny peek into the life of Cuba, so I am not by any means trying to claim in any way to be an authority. These reflections are based purely on observations and interactions that have taken place during our time in Havana, Vinales, Trinidad and Varadero. But that's better than nothing, and compared to some holiday makers here who have only done the beach resort bit, I think we've had a reasonable overview.

The first place that we stayed was in Havana, and the overwhelming impression of the capital city of Cuba was one of being in a timewarp. It really felt as though we had stepped back 50 years, with cars that had come off the set of 'Grease', and buildings that were once impressive in their architecture, but had been left to crumble, decay and generally look very tired. 

As well as the old fashioned cars that are clearly loved and polished daily to ensure they survive, and attract tourists who want to ride in them, other transport options around the city included horse and cart, bike taxis, and a range of buses, trucks, and eastern bloc cars in various states of disrepair. 

The food shops are few and far between, and they all seem to sell the same few items, at the same prices. Fruit and veg - you buy that from the man with a cart who sets up stall on the roadside, and again it's of a very limited variety. 

Whilst much of this is clearly one aspect of being in a communist country where everything is centrally run with no room for entrepreneurship, or competition, this is also an outworking of being in a country that has to a certain extent been cut off from much of the world for the past half century or so. I'm not going to enter into a political reflection on communism versus capitalism at this stage, but suffice to say it was a very interesting insight to be within a country, and chatting to local people that follow a political philosophy that I have been brought up to see as totally and utterly wrong.

As far as the Cuban people go, well they have to be one of the friendliest nations I've visited. At no time did either of us feel remotely unsafe, not even me when I went for a walk around the city at dawn due to a messed up body clock. 

'Hola!' is the common cry of greeting, and we heard it all the time from individuals wherever we went. And it wasn't just in response to us saying it first, so not just a case of locals feeling they have to reply out of politeness; no they often got in there first, and it was always accompanied by a smile, and often a wave. 

I know we are renowned for our British reserve, but I do think we could learn something from the Cubans about being just a bit more friendly, welcoming, and willing to talk to others.

A wealth of delicious foods, amazing hospitality, and a seemingly unending number of musicians playing samba, salsa, jazz, and more on street corners as well as in all the bars, restaurants and cafes just added to the beauty of the experience that encapsulates Cuba. Throw in the sun, sand, sea and snorkelling - well I could be in danger of sounding like a travel agent promoting holidays in Cuba!

But three specific reflections to ground things a bit more. 

One is a law that Cuba has which I just really liked as being so traveller friendly. Apparently, it is the law that any government vehicle, if they have space and are going in the right direction, must pick up any person waiting for a lift by the side of the road. Now I admit we didn't try this law out, as we didn't have the need, but there were several times when we were on a bus owned by a government travel company, that we stopped and picked up individuals, usually Cubans, and gave them a lift to wherever they were wanting to go along our route. 

As a result, those people didn't need to spend hard-earned and precious money on bus fares etc, and yet they still got to where they wanted to go. Yes there is the uncertainty of whether transport will be available, so it doesn't work if you are on a tight timetable, but if you have the flexibility then this is a pretty good law. Not sure that National Express or MegaBus would be up for it in the UK, and I suspect Fidel Castro doesn't pick many people up in his government car, but still works well on the whole, and especially in a country where capitalism and big profits isn't top priority.

The second little story relates to earnings of the locals. Now for this to fully make sense, you need to know that there are two currencies in Cuba - the local currency (CUP's) and the tourist currency (CUC's). 1 CUC is worth about 25 CUPs, and is thus very prized by the locals and if they can get hold of any CUCs it can make a big difference to their income. 

On one of our beach resort days, we went out on a catamaran with a local guide to do some snorkelling amidst the corals and exotic fish that are just a short boat ride off shore. As I was swimming along, I noticed something on the sea floor, about 3m below. It looked like 4 bank notes, and there didn't appear to be anyone trying to retrieve them. So I called over Hector, our guide, and pointed them out to him. He immediately saw what I was pointing to, and swam down and collected all the notes in one go in order to give them back to me, thinking it was money I had dropped.

I told him it wasn't my money, and as no one else was looking for it, he could rightfully keep it for himself. The look of incredulity on Hectors face spoke volumes, and when he spoke he just said 'I can treat my family'. I carried on snorkelling for the rest of the allotted time, but when we got back to the catamaran I asked him how much money there was, and he said it amounted to 35CUCs (about £30).

The average wage here is 15 CUCs per month, so in this one little incident, Hector had gained the equivalent of two months extra wages. Not surprising that he was all smiles as we sailed back to shore, but it just reinforced to me how close to poverty so many Cubans live, and how massive the gap is between them and us - for a tourist they can lose £30 and not really notice it, but for the locals that is a massive treat that would normally just be dreamed of.

Final reflection: looking forward.

One of the most notable absences from this trip on the tourist side of things is the lack of Americans, due to the longstanding hostilities between the two countries that mean it is incredibly hard for our neighbours across the pond to get in to Cuba.

Canadians are here by the bucketful, but no Americans. However, all that will soon change. On Sunday president and Mrs Obama and their entourage arrive in Havana for a 4day visit that is part of the process of improving relationships with Cuba, and within either 6 or 18 months (depending on whether 'next fall' is 'Fall 2016' or 'Fall 2017') there will be 110 flights per day arriving in Cuba from USA. 110 flights per day - that's approx 3000 Americans per day flooding into this lovely little country, and heaven only knows where they will all go, and what they will all do.

But come they will, and with them will come all manner of global companies that are pleasantly absent at the moment. Macdonalds, KFC, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme - how long before they are all here on every street corner? Oh that Cuba will have the forethought to protect their country from this potential takeover by the worst excesses of westernisation.

Unfortunately though, whilst the absence of such outlets is very welcome for those of us who have easy access to them at home, whether we like it or not, chatting to the Cubans it is clear that they are looking forward to the arrival of these companies that until now they've just heard about but never had the chance to experience.

Yes it's true, apparently if you don't have access to Macdonalds fast-food outlets, or Starbucks coffee shops, or Nike brand shoes etc, then they are the things to get excited about. I guess it's all about perspective. What some see as development, and progress towards an aspired style of life, others see as something to escape from, as a lifestyle that is a step too far, and part of an unsustainable rhythm.

I wouldn't want to deny Cubans the opportunity to experience choice, or to try out some of these aspects of life that we have such easy access to. Who am I to say what is right and wrong for individuals, or what is acceptable development rather than too much. So much of it depends on your starting point, your underlying set of values and beliefs, and on your end goal.

But what I do hope and pray is that, once the relentless machine of westernisation has got started over here, it won't roll so mercilessly forward that the Cubans lose all ability to control it.

Yes, may progress take place in the form of improved relationships, and opening up of new opportunities, but may that progress happen in a way that allows the specialness of Cuba to remain intact, and the beauty of the country and its people to come out unscathed.

Betty, Agnes, John and Morris - 4 Acholi adult literacy students

The African adventure may be over for a few months, but as promised, here are a few stories of lives improved, and hope restored by the Acholi Adult Literacy programme.

It was so encouraging to hear what it difference it makes - just being able to read some signs, write your name, even know how to hold a pencil - things we take so much for granted, but are not givens at all, in so many parts of the world. Tis an honour to be involved in touching one of those locations, even as lightly as we are.

Betty

Married with 9 children from age 4 to 16, one of whom is a nephew who she cares for, 4 of the children are in the children’s literacy classes that have just been started up: Peter age 11, Janet age 9, Richard age 6 and Ronald also age 6 (the nephew)

In the morning Betty works in the quarry and in the afternoon she makes beads which she uses to make the triple strand and the long and extra-long necklaces.

Betty started at the adult literacy classes in Jan 2015, but has been very intermittent in attendance due to having to work etc. She got to P5 level at school before she had to leave but has forgotten most of it

Attending the literacy classes is helping  her to remember her previous schooling and now she is able to read signs when she is out which makes her feel much safer than she used to.

She wishes that she could do more classes, but she has to work as there are so many in the family to look after

Agnes

 Widowed and looking after 7 dependents – 2 children, 4 grandchildren, and 1 other child of similar age to the grandchildren, Agnes has a son, David  who is currently unemployed and has just started attending the adult literacy classes. She also has a disabled daughter who is unable to work

Agnes works at the quarry and also makes beads which are used for the long necklaces and woven bracelets. The beads are small and she is finding them hard to do as her eyesight isn’t so good.

Agnes has never been to school so the adult literacy classes are the first education she has ever had. Now she knows how to hold a pen properly and write her name. It makes her feel good and she wants to learn some more. Now that David also does the classes he is able to help her a little at home with practicing her writing

John

Married with 9 children (6 alive, 3 passed away), John works in the quarry as does his wife.

John is Christine’s dad. Christine and a brother attend the literacy kids classes

John got to P5 when a child before having to leave school due to LRA troubles.

He wants to go to college to train to be a builder, so the adult literacy classes are the first steps to realizing that dream.

Morris

Married, with 7 children ages ranging from 21 to 3 months, Morris works in the quarry as does his wife. His wife also does beads

Morris went to P5 at school when a child, and through the adult literacy classes, which he has now attended for 2 months, he has learnt to write his name etc, and to read signs etc. It is helping his schooling to come back to him

Morris would like to be a carpenter and so is glad that the literacy classes are increasing his chances of getting to college, and of having a small business.